Due to a lack of a schoolhouse, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton settled for a rock from which she taught in the Maryland woods. Nearly a year later, in 1810, the widow founded St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School, which welcomed impoverished young girls and offered them a free education – the first of its kind in the United States.
The academy became the beginning of the U.S. Catholic education system, which today serves more than two million students, including many from disadvantaged families.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patron saint of Catholic schools. Her desire for Catholic-based education for students of various backgrounds offered them not only academic excellence, but character and faith development as well. Her teachings emphasized charity, humility and the importance of education in faith which continues today in Catholic schools.
“Catholic schools bring students into an environment where they can explore their faith. They can grow in a relationship with Christ. You can see a reflection of that in the community they serve,” said Brad Collignon, Marquette Catholic High School’s public relations director/athletic director.
“Catholic education is about service to others by becoming the feet and hands of Jesus,” said Michelle Ondas, principal at St. John the Baptist School in Whiting.
“Catholic education is not just about imparting knowledge, but forming individuals who are faithful and morally upright and equipping them to make meaningful contributions to their community and society. It’s a mission that extends beyond the classroom by shaping students to lead lives with purpose - lives of service and lives of faith.”
Indiana’s Choice scholarship program has made it possible for many families to choose a Catholic education for their children.
According to the Indiana Department of Education, 70,095 students utilized the Indiana Choice scholarship program during the 2023-24 school year. Over the past three years, with the expansion of choice legislation, the Diocese of Gary has experienced a 20% increase in school enrollment, while maintaining its commitment to small class sizes and providing every student with a sense of belonging.
“The Choice scholarship has been incredible for our community. It’s given us the ability to be truly and utterly diversified. We have kids from Nicaragua, Peru and Africa. We are truly blessed that we can have Choice so that those families could afford a Catholic education and can now be part of our community,” said Renata Gajardo, vice principal at Queen of All Saints School in Michigan City.
“It’s a blessing for me as a parent to have my students attend a Catholic school because I know that they are receiving an education that aligns with how I want to raise my family and my beliefs as a Catholic,” said Amanda Bookholt, marketing and enrollment director St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso.
As a Catholic educator, Bookholt said a Catholic education helps give students a strong foundation.
“The public schools do have a good education, but here we really have our tradition, faith and values,” said Bookholt. “We help form them so that when they leave campus, they bring the light of Christ to the community.”
According to Catholic Church teaching, parents are the first teachers of their children. Catholic school communities encourage a sense of teamwork when it comes to educating students.
“In Catholic schools, there’s a better sense of community. One of the things we stress is that the parents are going to work with us. It’s really important we work together as a team. It’s all hands on deck – working together,” said Ondas.
The St. John the Baptist School alumna, whose career includes teaching in the public school field for 26 years, returned to her roots two years ago. She credits all her teachers for forming her to become the person she is today. She feels blessed to be able to share what she’s received through a Catholic education.
“This is His calling for me. It’s a mission that extends beyond the classroom. Catholic education is about shaping students to lead lives with purpose, of service and lives of faith,” Ondas said.
She stated that smaller class sizes are another benefit of Catholic schools. “It allows for the students to get the attention they need and deserve and the support they need, both academically and spiritually,” noted Ondas
National Catholic Schools Week is set for Jan. 26-Feb. 1 as students, staff and families celebrate what Catholic education offers, a way to form saints by teaching and embracing the whole person - body, mind and spirit.
According to the Diocese of Gary’s Catholic Schools website, 443 teachers currently instruct the 5,879 students enrolled in 17 elementary and three high schools.
Gary Diocese high schools boast a 100% graduation rate, with 98% accepted into a four-year college. Seventy percent earn dual credits with regionally accredited universities.
Collignon shared how the school’s dual-credit classes offer big savings for students as they head off to college. According to Collignon, nearly every Marquette student leaves with at least six college credits up to as many as 60-plus credits. “Many students are earning nearly a year’s worth of college credits so that they’re beginning college as sophomores. You don’t need a calculator to see the value of a Catholic education.”
He added, “There’s a saying that real estate and education are the two best investments one can make. I’m not sure about real estate, but I know a Catholic education is the top investment one can make.”